[8] It is the alma mater of two U.S. vice presidents, two U.S. Supreme Court justices, 50 U.S. senators, 101 U.S. representatives, 36 U.S. governors, and 34 U.S. ambassadors, making it a large producer of 19th century U.S.

Initially situated in a log cabin in Boyle County, Kentucky, the school moved to Lexington in 1789.

Old Morrison was erected 1830–34, under the supervision of Henry Clay, who both taught law and was a member of Transylvania's Board.

"[9][11] From these early years, Transylvania has dominated academe in the bluegrass region and was the sought-after destination for the children of the South's political leadership, military families, and business elite.

The product, developed for the Halloween season, was intended to be a novelty item purporting to be college wear from the fictional Count Dracula's alma mater.

When contacted by Transylvania University, Hallmark admitted that they were unaware of the Kentucky-based institution and immediately recalled all unsold products.

Designed by pioneer Kentucky architect Gideon Shryock and erected in 1833 under the supervision of Henry Clay (then professor of law at Transylvania), Old Morrison is the central image on the city seal of Lexington.

It houses the offices of financial aid, accounting, the registrar, the president, the dean, communications, the Center for Academic and Professional Enrichment, and more.

It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965 in recognition of the university's status as the oldest west of the Allegheny Mountains.

[17] Beside Old Morrison, the Carpenter Academic Center houses the faculties of English, philosophy, history, political science, foreign languages, and classics, as well as offices for professors.

Behind the Carpenter Academic Center is Alumni Plaza, which opened in 2015 as an outdoor classroom and social gathering area.

The gallery offers guided tours and lectures for school groups, civic clubs, and senior-citizen organizations.

The Special Collections of the library houses a manuscript collection with letters, diaries, and documents of notable historical figures associated with the university, including Henry Clay, Jefferson Davis, Robert Peter, John Wesley Hunt, Daniel Drake, and Horace Holley.

The library was the setting for the film "American Animals", which told how four twenty-year-old students stole and attempted to sell some of the rare books.

It utilizes an environmentally friendly geothermal heating and air conditioning system, and several mature trees near the site were preserved during construction.

It features 31 suite-style units, including study areas, living rooms, kitchenettes, bathrooms, and bedrooms.

[29] Dalton-Voigt, Thomson, Kincaid, and Bassett Halls surround Back Circle, a central outdoor field where students can socialize, play sports, or do homework.

Replacing Forrer Hall, the structure offers two dining locations, an athletic workout facility, a competition-sized swimming pool, and numerous meeting spaces of all sizes and uses.

The greeting line starts as a large arch comprising every member of the first-year class (and various faculty, staff, and campus student leaders).

There is a week-long celebration of Halloween by students known as "Raf Week" in honor of the 19th-century botanist, inventor, and Transylvania professor Constantine Rafinesque.

The university ends October with a unique combination of activities, including a lottery for four students to win the chance to spend the night in Rafinesque's tomb.

[43] The steps of Old Morrison are lined with pumpkins carved by students, faculty, staff, and members of the community around Halloween for what is called Pumpkinmania.

In honor of Professor Rafinesque, the grab-and-go dining space in the Campus Center is named the "Rafskeller"—a pun on the word Rathskeller.

[45] The campus, home to various Transylvania choirs and instrumental ensembles, also hosts several exhibitions in its Morlan Gallery that change by season.

Transylvania competes in 27 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis and track & field; women's sports include basketball, cross country, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, triathlon and volleyball; and co-ed teams include cheerleading, dance and equestrian (eventing).